What is eczema?

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown. People inherit a tendency to the disorder, but the symptoms themselves seem to be set off by a number of 'trigger factors', for example:

Psychological factors

In adults, stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological factors can all influence atopic conditions. In particular, they can make the severity and flare-ups of eczema much worse.

Irritants in the home or environment

If you get eczema you're more likely to react to irritants which you inhale or which have contact with your skin. These include:

Dust mites

The fur of dogs and cats, as well as horse hair

Certain plants

Low humidity - dry air caused by air conditioning, central heating or frosty weather can aggravate eczema

Overheating due to central heating and woollen or synthetic clothing can trigger itching

Foods

Certain foods may trigger eczema, as can the following food additives:

Preservatives

Parabens E214 to E218

Sodium Benzoate E211

Sorbic acid E200

Antioxidants

Butyl hydroxyanisole E320

Butyl Hydroxytoluene E321

Colours

Tartrazine E102

Erythrosine E123

Amaranth E127

Industrial or chemical irritants

Certain chemicals such as detergents, biological washing powders and chlorine in swimming pools can trigger ezcema.

Climate

How climate affects eczema isn't proven. However, there is evidence that the condition generally improves in mountains over 1500m high, in seashore locations and humid regions.

Atopic eczema often becomes worse in Autumn, as central heating is more widely used, leading to a reduction in room humidity.

Studies have shown that children who are breast-fed are less likely to get eczema. This is also true when the nursing mother has avoided cow's milk in her diet. Other dietary restrictions may include eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy.

Eczema tends to run in families. Control of stress, nervousness, anxiety, and depression can be beneficial in some cases.

There is no cure for it but there is relief medications

Lubricants

To help with dryness, these creams, such as Eucerin, Nivea, Cethaphil Moisturizing Cream, or Lubriderm, should be used every day, even when the eczema isn't flaring-up!

Apply right after baths within 3 minutes (and after the steroid creams) to help trap in moisture and throughout the day as needed.

For severely dry skin, try using an ointment, such as Aquaphor.

Alternative lubricants that some parents find useful include Hydrolatum and Vanicream.

Many experts recommend avoiding moisturizing lotions, as they often don't work as well as a cream or ointment.

Steroid Creams

These are the main treatments for atopic dermatitis when it flares up, and should be applied right after baths (and before a lubricant) and again during the day as directed. When the rash improves, cut back on how often you are using it and then stop until the rash flares up again.

Common steroid creams include Cutivate, Westcort, Lociod Lipocream, Artistocort, and Elocon.

Avoid using prescription steroid creams on the face or in the diaper area, unless specifically instructed to do so. An over the counter 1% Hydrocortisone cream is safer in these areas.

For severe cases of eczema, a steroid ointment may be more effective than a cream.

If your child's eczema improves when he is on a steroid and then quickly flares up again when you stop, it may help to use a 'step down' strategy where you taper the use of the steroid and use it less often, for example every other day and then 2-3 times a week, before finally stopping it. Or use a less potent steroid, like over the counter hydrocortizone after using a prescription strength steroid like Cutivate or Elocon.

You might also ask your doctor about one of the newer non-steroidal medications, like Protopic or Elidel.

Bathing and Eczema

Bathing and eczema is a controversial topic, but many people think the practice of limiting baths is old school or old fashioned. Many experts now recommend a daily bath for kids with eczema.

A daily bath for at least 15-20 minutes helps to moisturize the skin and make it less itchy. Be sure to use a mild, nondrying soap, such as Dove, Neutrogena, Tone, Caress, Dial, Basis, or Purpose, avoid vigorous scrubbing, use a soft towel to pat the skin dry and immediately (within 3 minutes) apply a lubricating cream afterwards.

If your child's skin is not tolerating a daily bath, limit baths to every other day or try using a soap substitute, such as Cetaphil. Avoid using bubble baths, harsh or drying soaps and keep shampoo off the affected areas.

Itching Relief

Atopic dermatitis is a very itchy rash, and scratching usually makes it worse, so it is important to help control itching. You can use an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, especially at night to help control irritability and restlessness that the itching may cause. Always apply your steroid cream to areas that itch.

Wet or damp dressings can sometimes help with severe itching. A wet-to-wet dressing can be made by having your child wear wetted pajamas after he takes a bath and then apply a dry layer over this.

Also, keep your child's fingernails cut short to limit the damage caused by scratching.

Eczema Prevention

Help prevent flare-ups by avoiding things that are known to trigger your child's eczema. These may include certain foods (cow's milk, eggs, peanut butter, fish), wool fibers and clothes, rough or tight fitting clothing, dry air, sweating, getting too hot or too cold (avoid hot or cold water), harsh soaps or chemicals, and stress.

Swimming is allowed, but immediately shower or bathe to wash off chlorine and other chemicals and apply a moisturizer to help prevent your child's skin from drying out.

Important Reminders

Be patient. This is a chronic disease that usually improves and then flares-up again, but one which is usually easily managed with the above therapies.

Call your pediatrician if your child is not improving in 1-2 weeks with his current treatments, the itching is keeping your child awake at night, the rash is infected with pus or honey colored scabs, or if the rash becomes raw and bleeding.

A secondary skin infection can often be to blame for eczema that isn't clearing up. A trial of an antibiotic or a bacterial skin culture might help to see if this is complicating your child's eczema.

You sometimes have to experiment to find what works best for your child's eczema.

Consider seeing an expert, such as a Pediatric Dermatologist if you and your Pediatrician are not able to get your child's eczema under good control.

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What is it?:

Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or "atopic eczema"). Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood. Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age.

How to prevent it:

Scientists believe that eczema is inherited, so there's no way to prevent the condition. However, because specific triggers may tend to make it worse, flare-ups can be prevented or improved by avoiding possible triggers such as:

* pollen

* mold

* dust

* animal dander

* dry winter air with little moisture

* allowing the skin to become too dry

* certain harsh soaps and detergents

* certain fabrics (such as wool or coarsely woven materials)

* certain skin care products, perfumes, and colognes (particularly those that contain alcohol)

* tobacco smoke

* some foods (Which foods may be eczema triggers depends on the person, but dairy products and acidic foods like tomatoes seem to be common culprits.)

* emotional stress

* excessive heat

* sweating

Also, curbing the tendency to scratch the rash can prevent the condition from worsening and progressing to cause more severe skin damage or secondary infection.

wow, you got a lot of detailed answers. I have eczema and so does my son. It basically is an extream case of dry skin. When my son was small he would scratch until he would bleed. I took him to dermatologist ect.They always wanted me to use benadrill (spelling?). Didn't work in our case. I also finally took him to an allergy specialist where I learned he was actually allegic to some foods which aggravated the eczama. So you may want to check that out also. There is no preventing eczema just living with it. Eucerin cream is very good. It is thicker than most lotions and has no alcohol. Don't take very hot baths or showers. The heat draws out moisture in the skin. Dove soap is a mild soap, some are very strong also don't use fabric softner when you do your laundry. Drift is a good detertant to wash your clothes in. It's mild. Another tip is to keep your room cool at night . I got a lot of mixed info when my son was little so I have tried many things.( oh zinc oxide paste is wonderful! It would clear his skin over night but you can only get it from a Doc. Of course it isn't a cure the eczama is always there)

I had a eczema flare up on my knee, I tried several different soaps, laundry soap even went to my Doctor and he gave me some cream it helped but was not the cure. So one evening I was looking for something to put on it I had ran out of the Neutrogena Eczema cream so I tried some of my cats hydrocortisone spray I had got from Wal-Mart and it really worked NO KIDDING just a spray once a night and maybe a couple during the day within about a week it was looking better

My little boy had eczema on his cheeks. I was not sure what method to use but I didn't want to make my boy go through any surgery treatments at this young age. Some suggested a plastic surgeon since it was in a very visible location but our family doctor recommend this natural guide.

Best Eczema Treatment?

Eczema is a skin condition that can affect both young and old. It creates a dotty appearance on the skin, sometimes a scaly appearance like "shingles." Eczema is not serious , although can become very discomforting. Physicians sometimes prescribe steroidal creams if it becomes to severe. I reccommend Aveeno Lotion in Oatmeal. Any lotions that are natural and not scented or perfumy should work just fine.

I Cured Eczema Easily Permanently : http://eczema.neatprim.com/

In general, you can help to prevent eczema flare-ups by avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures, dry air, harsh soaps and bubble baths. Also, try using blankets and clothing made of cotton instead of more irritating fabrics such as wool or stiff synthetics, such as polyester. After showering or bathing, pat dry so you leave a little moisture on your skin and apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to trap moisture in the skin. Use a room humidifier to add moisture to indoor air during the winter heating season.

To help to prevent contact dermatitis, avoid skin contact with irritating chemicals, plants, jewelry and substances that trigger skin allergies. If you have severe varicose veins, you can help prevent stasis dermatitis by wearing compression stockings and by elevating your legs if you sit for long periods. Be alert for any reactions within 48 hours of using a medication. Antibiotics applied to the skin and taken by mouth both can trigger a skin reaction such as hives or more sensitive skin. If this happens, call your doctor to get a substitute medication.

Eczema outbreaks can usually be avoided with some simple precautions. The following suggestions may help to reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups: Use the cream or ointment which your doctor recommends on a regular basis, and as a soap substitute, to keep the skin supple and to prevent drying. Avoid scratching when you itch. If you can not stop yourself, then gently rubbing, with the flat of your hand, is less likely to do damage. Avoid exposure to chemicals and strong detergents. It is usually better to avoid using biological agents altogether. Use protective gloves when you use such things in the house or at work. If you have been found to be allergic to a specific substance, avoid contact with it, if this is feasible. Use your treatments according to the instructions from your doctor and the pharmacist.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration sometimes characterize healed lesions, though scarring is rare.

The specific cause of Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is unknown, however, it's believed that eczema is due to the overreaction of the immune system, and due to environmental and hereditary factors.